GERMANY'S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
MFS-2000 is a
German concept
for a medium-
range surface-to-air
missile system to
replace Improved
Hawk. The
15-30km rocket-
ramjet missile uses
an active-radar
terminal seeker
and Patriot-type
midcourse updating
via the multi
function radar
lar dispenser system uses the same
submunitions and is essentially an MW-1
suitable for several different aircraft
types. Like MW-1, MDS remains on the
aircraft until empty.
Following on from MW-1 and MDS is a
modular standoff missile, essentially a
free-flying submunition dispenser. MBB
and Matra have merged their respective
CWS container weapon system and
Apache development programmes, while
Dornier has joined forces with Brandt to
develop the Pegase.
The CWS/Apache concept encom
passes four configurations; a dispenser
that is retained until empty then jetti
soned; a short-range free-flying version
with autopilot for roll, attitude, and alti
tude control; a 5-10km-range glide weapon
with pop-out wings and inertial platform;
and a powered, 20km-range standoff
dispenser with solid-propellant rocket
motor. The initial glide version could be
available in 1988.
Pegase will be available in three
versions. The 450kg Pegase I will have a
free-flying range of 6km and a rocket-
boosted reach of 15km. The 760kg Pegase
II will have a maximum unpowered range
of 8km, increasing to 15km with rocket
pack fitted. Pegase III is turbojet-powered,
with a range of up to 60km, and Dornier
will develop the flight control system.
While Pegase I will fly in 1985, for pro
duction in 1988, Pegase III will not take to
the air until 1990.
Germany, Britain, and the USA are
expected to sign a memorandum of under
standing later this year initiating concept
studies of a long-range stand-off missile
(LRSOM), a submunition-dispensing
airfield-attack weapon for the 1990s. Two
teams will compete, both led by US cruise-
missile manufacturers. MBB is a member
of the Boeing team, with British Aero
space and Marconi, while Dornier belongs
to the General Dynamics team alongside
Hunting.
Realising that standoff weapons will be
in short supply, MBB's military aircraft
division has developed and demonstrated
a low-cost anti-tank submunition
dispenser called Vebal/Syndrom, which
fires bazooka-type warheads downwards
as the aircraft overflies a target array.
Tank-type targets are automatically
identified by multiple, simple sensors,
each detecting a different target
characteristic—geometry, temperature, or
material. The readings are cross-
referenced to provide positive identi
fication followed by triggering of the
submunition tube angled to give the best
chance of a hit.
In tests witnessed by the Luftwaffe, an
experimental Vebal/Syndrom packaged
into two pods, one for the sensors and
computer and another for the Panzerfaust
warheads, scored hits on three targets. As
a result, the Air Force is drawing up a
requirement for the weapon to arm its
Alpha Jets. A production version would
comprise a single pod larger but lighter
than the BL755 cluster bomb, containing
sensors, computer, and submunitions.
MBB is discussing with Hunting the
possible use of LAW 80 warheads. If
sufficient funds are secured, Vebal/
Syndrom could be available in 1987.
Improved sea-skimmer
Germany's second-generation anti-ship
mi'ssile is Kormoran 2, an improved
version of the existing 30km-range air-
launched sea-skimming missile in service
with the German Navy. Under a devel
opment contract to be completed in 1988,
MBB is increasing Kormoran's range, hit
probability, and penetration, with
improved protection against electronic
countermeasures, better trajectory shap
ing, target selectivity, and multiple launch
capability.
The third-generation ANS supersonic
anti-ship missiles an Aerospatiale/MBB
joint venture, started on private funds, but
now supported by both the French and
German Governments.
MBB is responsible for development of
the solid-propellant rocket-ramjet pro
pulsion. Aerospatiale is developing a
backup liquid-propellant rocket-ramjet.
MBB's more compact solid-fuel ramjet
has been successfully flight-tested.
ANS is currently in a two-year project-
definition and component-validation
phase which includes the demonstration
of a complete missile and, separately, of an
active-radar seeker.
With a range of around 100km, ANS is
considerably larger than Exocet, which it
will replace in the early 1990s, but has a
sea-skimming cruise speed in excess of
Mach 2. With a high-speed terminal dash,
combined with evasive manoeuvres and an
MBB-developed semi-armour-piercing
warhead to premature detonation by anti
missile guns, ANS is designed to defeat all
current and anticipated ship defences.
Advanced air-to-air
BGT, with British Aerospace, has
formed a joint company, BBG, to develop
a Sidewinder replacement for 1990
onwards, the Asraam advanced short-
range air-to-air missile. The two com
panies have completed Asraam feasibility
studies, selecting an infrared-homing
missile using aerodynamic control as the
most viable solution. The next stage is
project definition, scheduled to take 18-24
months from contract signature.
MBB and Dornier are competing for the
German Army's KZ0 mini-drone require
ment. Dornier's solution draws on its
experience with the US Army's similar
Lockheed Aquila, for which the company
supplies recovery systems. MBB has
joined forces with Matra to offer a mini-
drone tentatively dubbed Brevel (for
Bremen and Velizy, respectively head
quarters of MBB's defence systems group
and of Matra).
FLIGHT International, 19 May 1984 1333